Presumptions are made every day about people. There are racial, religious, personality, social, and gender presumptions everywhere. People have been hardwired to see a Christian and assume they never sin and condemn others. See a homeless person and assuming that they chose to be the way their are. View males as above women in the work place and that women don’t need to make an income, they need to make children. However non of these are true, it’s just how people chose to view others. I believe one of the biggest problems with our society is how we think and how we assume. It’s much easier to see someone in a store and assume the worst about them, but easier isn’t always better. People have the ability to ask questions and learn, yet most would rather assume than learn. In this lifestyle we chose to ignore the good traits of people and it closes doors into other lives. However one person can make a difference. I chose to make that difference. Imagine a world which we chose to learn about others instead of assume. I figure stigmas of certain people would surely decrease. There wouldn’t be stigmas of race, gender, or religion. However, we don’t have to imagine a world like this, we can chose to live in this world. We can chose to learn. Choosing to learn about others will open doors rather than closing them. It would build a stronger community, trust, and love with one another. This change can start with one person. I want this change to start with me. I want to break the presumptions of others. I want to learn about other religions, cultures, and lifestyles. I want to break stigmas in the world.

Mindset can change your life. I used to have the mindset of “I have to…” I have to go to school, I have to get a job, I have to exercise. Having a mindset of “I have to” influenced my perspective of the word in a negative way. I thought to myself “why would anyone enjoy this, it’s a requirement.” However one day my father told me about a podcast he recently listened to. He introduced to me that I am choosing to have the mindset I had, but I can choose a different one. I could chose the mindset of “I get to.” I get to go to school, I get have a job, I get to be active. After my mindset switched, I began to have a more positive outlook on the world. I was more great-full, more positive, and more kind. The more I learn about the mind and how we think, the more I understand how we have the ability to do and think what ever we want. I chose to think positive, which then is resembled in my speech and action. Positivity is contagious. It has a chain reaction on others. I want to be a leader to others and resemble kindness, patients, and love to others, which is possible through my mindset. My mindset strives me to overcome anything and accomplish all of my goals, which I know is possible!

Food is a necessity that our bodies require inorder to run the correct way. When we provide it with the correct nutrition, we are able to function at a higher and more positive rate. An amazing thing about superfoods, is many of them contain nutrients and vitamins, which can ultimately leave you to being healthier and happier! One of my favorite superfoods to enjoy is fresh red bell peppers! They are packed with vitamin C and nutrients, making it perfect for my body, all while helping me maintain a positive mindset and life! I used to struggle with how I looked and how I felt. I would complain about my size and weight, then turn around and not provide my body with the correct food. Fortunately I realized that instead of complaining about how I look, I should be focused on what I eat. My body gives me the ability to play varsity volleyball, run, hike, swim, and everything, which I am so great-full for! In order to show my appreciation to my body and everything it does for me, I needed to be fueling it with food that would continue to make me strong, feel good, keep me healthy, and make me happier. Supper foods have been a great source of nutrients and vitamins in my life. They make me feel better mentally and physically! As an athlete, I need to be in good shape in order to preform my best for God, my team, and my family. However to do this, I need to be eating and exercising well. Peppers and carrots are my favorite source of nutrients before a game because they help me feel energized and ready to play. Superfoods help lift me up, providing me with confidence and energy which I may utilize through my sports. They are also a very light yet filling food, which means that I can eat them as a full meal and feel no need to eat unhealthy snacks. Another amazing thing about them is that they are all natural! I know that when I eat vegetables, that their will be no harmful chemicals or toxins that will entrer my body. Eating healthy not only has an impact on me in the present, but with also have an impact on me in the future. Once I get older it will help my body with strength, sight, and overall health! On top of that it helps fight sickness! During the Covid-19 pandemic it was very helpful to stay active and provide your body with the right nutrients to keep it healthy when daily activities where taken away! Veggies help all the time, whether by them selves, as a side, on in a salad!

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. -Aesop Kindness is a choice. It’s a trait that people develop because they seek to have it. It’s a trait that will never disappoint. It’s a trait that I have. I am proudest of my character of kindness. It’s a way that I chose to bring happiness and joy to people. It’s a gift to others and yourself. Kindness will take you far in life, just as it has proven in my life. As a senior, I’ve witnessed throughout the years at my school, that upperclassmen chose to ignore younger kids. They saw it has “cool” and an entitlement. However, before I was even a senior, I chose to set aside the selfish desire to act “cool”, but rather act kind and loving towards others. This kindness wasn’t always a huge act, rather sometimes it was just saying Hi to someone with a smile, holding a door open, checking on people whom seem down, or encouraging others in sports. Now as a senior, I have the ability to change the stigma that upperclass are to “cool” for younger people. I never want anyone to feel out of place or ignored. Therefor I chose kindness in order to spread joy. I’ve deeply cherished the times I have gotten to speak to the younger grades through being Vice President of student council and helping coach a summer volleyball camp for JH. Every senior is presented with the opportunity to be a leader to the rest of the school, yet most chose to not take this opportunity. I want it tho. I want to make the difference, I wanna show people that kindness is one of the most valuable traits you can have. It opens the door into so many other lives. During a school meeting, in which I lead the middle school girls, I asked them the questions, is their anything you guys want me to pray about for you, or advise you in anyway? One young girl raised her hand and expressed how other young girls were making fun of her. She asked me how she should respond. I first asked if she was ok and then proceeded to tell her that she wasn’t the problem. I told her “sometimes people take out anger on others because they think it’s funny, they don’t realize they are doing it, or maybe they are struggling with something else. My point being that, it’s not ok how they acted towards you, but we never know what happens in others lives. Yet everyone has a choice of how they can act. No matter what is going on, we can control our responses and emotions, so I encourage you to be kind. Sometimes that all people need, people to show kindness to them. Others will see your kindness and mimic it, because they want to be happy! Kindness is a gift that you can chose to give to others, so try and give it to everyone.” She smiled after and gave me a hug which warmed my heart. Choosing to be kind and open with these young girls has truly impacted my life, and opened doors to several others lives which I can make an impact on. Everyone deserves kindness, and everyone can be kind.

Listening can be more Important than speaking. Being Vice President of executive council at my school has truly been an impactful experience, as I have been able to mentor to younger grades. Once a week, I had the opportunity to lead the young girls in my group. Quickly I discovered that these girls, being in middle school, didn’t necessarily need someone to talk to them, but rather someone that would listen to them. Through listening to them, they would share their struggles with me, in which I was able to listen and then advise them. For instance, one young girl came to me one day during school and mentioned that her parents were separating. As I have never had to experience this hardship, I wasn’t quite sure what I should say. Therefor I just listened. I listened as this young girl poured her heart out and at the end she seemed so relieved and hugged me. I was able to give her some advise, . However, letting her just be her self and talk it out, I could tell was very helpful towards her. I’ve grown such a special bound with several young girls which I wouldn’t trade for the world. I continue to mentor them through volleyball, being an assistant coach for their summer volleyball camp. As I senior they are able to look up to me and view my sportsmen ship and passion for volleyball as a blessing from God. Though being a leader on and off the court, I have truly been blessed by the younger girls.